NWR set for rescue after further blow

Photo: archive of NWR
Shares in the Czech Republic’s biggest coke producer, New World
Resources (NWR), have taken a stock exchange battering after the company
revealed weaker prices for sales in the first quarter and rest of 2014.
Shares dropped by more than 20% at one stage in Prague on Thursday. NWR’s
biggest shareholder, investment company BXR, is reported to be ready to
step in with a capital restructuring to help out the struggling coke and
coal producer.

Agrofert takes to the waves

The main company of billionaire Czech businessman and politician Andrej
Babiš has been cleared to continue its buy up of local media. Agrofert was
this week given the green light by the national competition office to
acquire leading commercial broadcaster Radio Impuls. Babiš’
agro-chemical firm already snapped up two of the Czech Republic’s biggest
quality newspapers last year after earlier launching free papers to erode
their sales.

Big screen boosts box office income

Photo: Miloš Turek
Czech cinemas welcomed less visitors through their doors last year but
charged them more for tickets. Ticket sales fell by around 120,000 just
over 11 million for the year. That’s the lowest total for eight years.
But total cinema takings rose by around a tenth with the average price of a
ticket climbing to around 125 crowns.

Regional brewer declares IPO intent

Illustrative photo: European Commission
The Lobkowitz Group of breweries is aiming to sell 30-40% of its shares on
the Prague Stock Exchange in a move to raise cash for further expansion.
Seven small and mid-sized regional breweries in Bohemia and Moravia make up
the group, which have elbowed their way into nationwide supermarkets by
selling special packs of their beer. The group says widespread interest
from possible investors persuaded it to go with the IPO.

Shirt top makes fashion statement

Tomáš Berdych, photo: CTK
Czech star Tomáš Berdych served up impressive tennis but debatable taste
at the Australian Open. His striped blue and white shirt and red shorts
were unfavourably compared to a football kit or sailor’s outfit. But
Berdych’s sartorial transformation is apparently a reflection of changing
sponsorship patterns in the game. Dominant sponsor Nike is now
concentrating its cash on fewer players and making way for newcomer brands,
such as Berdych’s, to make a splash.